All this week on 99.1 WZBQ and WJOX (sports radio stations I listen to all day) T-Town Gallery has been advertising an Autograph Signing for last night and tonight, January 21st. I try to find things for my son and I to do on Saturdays for a father/son day and since we are both big Bama fans, we decided to go to this. We decided to skip the session last night since I didn’t want to brave the mall on a Friday night after working all day. Trent Richardson was on signing Saturday anyhow and Brett really wanted to meet him.
Here’s what was posted on the T-Town Gallery Facebook page:
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: Friday January 20, 2012: Mark Baron, Marquis Maze, Dont’a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Courtney Upshaw, Josh Chapman, and Brad Smelley from 5pm to 9pm. $200 for all signatures or $35 a piece. Saturday, January 21, 2012: Trent Richardson with Roy Upchurch from 5pm to 7 pm. $50 for both signatures.
We expect the store will be busy so make sure to arrive early! We will have pictures and other things available to purchase for signatures! Be sure to share this with your friends!
The Alabama celebration for their 14th National Championship was at Bryant Denny today, so I figured it would be best get there early to stand in line. My son and I showed up at the University Mall at 2pm and walked around a little. About 2:30, we made our way to center court to get in line. Before we did, we tried to buy some items to get signed at T-Town gallery but they were closed to set up. A sign on the fence said to wait there for assistance. There were 10-15 people in the store and I waited for 10 minutes and nobody came to assist. I wanted to know more about prices and what type of items would be available to purchase. We went ahead and got into line. I looked the number of the store up and gave them a call to ask those questions. The person that answered was quite helpful and answered the questions. She did mention that they had plenty of white panel footballs to purchase. Remember that for what happens later.
It’s now about 2:45pm and we’re looking at a good 2 hour wait. We had some really cool folks around us in the line, so the wait wasn’t too bad. One of the ladies a couple back from me in line had purchased a few 2011 National Championship footballs before she came. Because her father in law didn’t want to drop $85 to get the autographs, she had an extra. I paid her $10 more than she paid to help her out and as it turned out, it helped me as well.
Brett with a new haircut waiting in line to meet Trent Richardson
During all this, the store has a couple loudspeakers, amp, and mic to facilitate the event and make announcements. It didn’t work so well. Only the people right in front of the store could hear. I am not sure if anything important was ever said on it.
Now it’s 5PM and we’re still standing in line. We have approximately 100 people in front us at this point and an estimated 1,000 behind us. The line isn’t moving at all.
Finally around 5:30pm, the players are all set to get started. According to my receipt, Brett and I got into the store and paid for the signatures (all $255 of them) at 6:19pm. This is where it gets very disappointing.
Initially, my plan was to buy one thing to get signed and hope they would sign my son’s Bama cap too. While waiting, I decided to get something for Brett, something for me, and something for my father-in-law. Since I was there, waited so long, I might as well get something nice for my father-in-law and myself. But yes, the day and the idea to do this was more for my son than me anyhow. I am trying to remember that as I sit here disappointed.
As I mentioned earlier, I was told on the phone that there would be plenty of balls and photos to purchase once we get into the store. There were plenty of photos, none of which I felt were a good match for getting autographs of all 3 players on. I could have got 3 individual photos, but I wanted something I could get all 3 on that I could display in my home.
We got into the store and like I said, I wasn’t thrilled with the choice of photos so I wanted to grab a couple white panel balls similar to the one I bought from the lady behind me in line. They ran out of them a couple people ahead of me. They had a one mini white panel football on the table, so I bought it. I still needed a 3rd now. All they had left were official NFL and NCAA balls for $35. With very few options and people rushing me through I agreed to purchase an official NCAA ball. This one would be for my ball case!
3 tickets for each player!
After dropping $60 or so on the two balls and $255 on the autograph tickets, we were on our way to the table to get our balls signed, grab a photo, and meet the guys!
In the photo above, Trent has my third ball in hand to sign and I was still in front of Roy Upchurch. Dre Kirpatrick has his hand on the ball I got Trent to act like he was signing for a photo. The guy on the fence to the left of the video camera is the one that I refer to later in the article. He was the one that refused to talk with me about a deal.
Before we got to the table, the three balls I had were handed over to someone who handed them to the players. I didn’t even get to shake the players hands, say thanks for their service at the University of Alabama, or hand them the balls to get signed. Before I was even in front of the 1st of the three players, Upchurch, all three balls were signed and being handled by a security guard or policeman (can’t remember) and we were being shuffled out of the store. I grabbed the ball for me and asked a handler if I could at least get a picture of Trent Richardson acting like he was signing my ball since it was already signed (photo below shows him acting like he’s signing it). While he obliged that request, my son had his iPod Touch out trying to get a good picture of Richardson. He was almost crying when he asked me, “Dad, can you ask Trent to smile for my picture?”. I told him to just snap the picture, that’s probably the best you’ll get. We were shuffled along.
Trent Richardson simulating the signing of my football at my request for a photo.
With 3 balls in hand while trying to get through a huge crowd of onlookers with my son by my side we moved on. I had not even had a chance to look at the balls.
We get across the hallway to a shoe shore where I was going to let Brett pick out some new tennis shoes. While he was checking out the selection, I was checking out the balls. The 2 white panel balls looked sweet but when I got a look at my ball, my heart sank. IT LOOKS LIKE ABSOLUTE GARBAGE! I can barely make out who is who. The photo of the dark football was taken when I got home with lots of lighting on it to show it better. While I was checking it out in the shoe store, the two guys helping my son with a new pair of shoes were commenting on how bad it looked too. One suggested that I go back over and get my money back. I considered that, but I thought I should wait another day since it was so busy in there and would be for the next couple of hours. Look at the difference in the one above and the two white panel balls below. I should have skipped over the dark, bumpy football and got photos signed for myself. Roy Upchurch’s autograph is decent.
This is the football I am unhappy with. It has tons of lighting on it. It looks even worse in normal lighting.
We grabbed Brett some shoes and I called my wife to see if she wanted me to pick up some dinner. She could tell I was upset and I explained to her a little but didn’t really want to discuss it until I got home. She suggested I go talk with them before I leave.
I stood there telling my son to settle down and give me a sec. After 5 minutes I decided to try to make them a deal. I headed back, asked the police officer keeping the onlookers back to grab someone from the store to talk with me. After he realized I had already gone through the line, he got a guy over there that tried to help. He happened to be the one that told me that they were out of the white panel, 2011 Championship balls. I showed him the ball I was unhappy with and explained to him that I would be willing to let them keep that ball if I could buy something else to get signed without having to pay another $85 for the autographs again. Let me rephrase that… I paid $35 for the ball and an additional $85 for the autographs on it. I was offering to GIVE them that ball back and PURCHASE something else to get signed. The store would not incur any loss since they could give me the 3 autographs again only at the expense of 3 former Alabama player’s 2 seconds of writing. They would make more money off the addition item or items I would purchase and they could even resell the ball I was unhappy with. This guy went into the store to get an actual employee of the store over there to talk to me. Without even listening to my offer, he cut me off with, “NO REFUNDS” and walked off. After standing in line for all that time and spending $300 to be shuttled through the process like an unappreciated prison worker, I was shocked with the short answer without even letting me finish talking. I can understand they were quite busy, but in order for my offer to work… the players needed to be there and if I wait, they will be gone.
After this… I went from disappointed with the whole situation to mad. We left to pick up dinner and return home.
My son is 9, but he’s very bright and he knew I was mad. He tried to cheer me up with a couple of offers. The 1st deal was him offering to get me those autographs when he makes it to the NFL. Cute. I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. I can now though. The other offer was for him to get a sharpie and trace over the autographs to make them easier to see. NO BRETT. Please don’t.
On the way home, Brett shared with me his disappointment too. He was upset that he didn’t get to a) talk to Richardson b) shake his hand c) get his picture taken with Richardson, and d) get his Bama hat which is already signed by a couple other players signed. He knew and understood it was busy, but he thought he’d have more than a few seconds. He did get a photo of Richardson snapped with his iPod Touch. I explained to him that each signature was going to cost money and that I wasn’t prepared to pay $85 to get a hat he actually wears signed. The big white panel ball is for Brett anyhow.
When Brett got to meet other Bama players at another store in Tuscaloosa, there was time to chat a minute and the players he’s met have been cordial. Hell, Prince Wimbley even took off his 1992 National Championship ring and let Brett hold and wear it. I wasn’t prepared for this type of situation. The owner of the store, the police, and employees in the store were rushing people out very fast. I was very disappointed in this.
After getting home and telling my wife all about the day, she shared a story that I didn’t know. Apparently she had a bad experience with one of these signings a couple years ago. Terrance Cody was signing at the same place and my wife and daughter were in line to get an autograph for us. He was signing from some time to another time and when that time was up, he got up and left. There were 6-10 people left standing in line. My wife was 4-5 back and she was upset but not as upset as two kids in front of her. They were all left without an autograph.
Let’s recap
- My son disappointed in his chance to meet Trent Richardson.
- I am disappointed in the quality of my prize for waiting for 3 hours and dropping $300.
- There was no interaction with the players we were paying to get autographs from, or very little.
- There were not enough items to purchase for autographs in stock.
- The event started late making it seem like things were more rushed than it should have been.
- I felt as if I paid to be treated as if we were an inconvenience to the players and store staff.
Here’s another thing that I can’t help wondering. What about the people behind us in line. They are now out of small and large white panel balls so others won’t have any opportunity for a quality autograph on a good ball for autographs. In addition to that, I was close to the front of the line and I didn’t get in the store until 6:19pm. The event was from 5-7pm so how many of the hundreds behind us are going to walk away without an opportunity?
At this point, I am giving the small white panel ball to my father-in-law and I have the large white panel ball I purchased from someone in the line displayed in my son’s room. I am considering using my ball as a very nice, very expensive ball for my son and I to play with in the yard. It’s a quality football and all his other footballs are worn out anyhow.
Bottom line, I won’t be wasting my time or money on any other autograph events put on by this company. Instead, I will wait for Bama Fever opportunities and/or just buy memorabilia from companies that offer autographed items with a certificate of authenticity at retail prices like I have been doing.
Maybe I am overreacting, but for $120, I feel somewhat justified. The ball looks horrible, my feet and back hurt, and my son didn’t enjoy the experience.
ROLL TIDE!
Update: I wasn’t the only one that had a crappy experience today. Apparently some people were led to believe that the autographs were free!
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook tonight!
Went to the mall to get Trent Richardsons autograph..after 30 minutes in line (behind a lot of people that had been waiting way longer) and the radio guy comes across the speaker and says, These autographs are not free by the way, It will be $50….. Needless to say I left & so did a lot of others. I love my Alabama Football but I am not paying anybody $50 for their signature. Ttown Gallery should have been upfront with the people and put that little bit of info in their ads and posters…..
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The T-Town Gallery Alabama autograph event was a terrible experience for my son and I
All this week on 99.1 WZBQ and WJOX (sports radio stations I listen to all day) T-Town Gallery has been advertising an Autograph Signing for last night and tonight, January 21st. I try to find things for my son and I to do on Saturdays for a father/son day and since we are both big Bama fans, we decided to go to this. We decided to skip the session last night since I didn’t want to brave the mall on a Friday night after working all day. Trent Richardson was on signing Saturday anyhow and Brett really wanted to meet him.
Here’s what was posted on the T-Town Gallery Facebook page:
The Alabama celebration for their 14th National Championship was at Bryant Denny today, so I figured it would be best get there early to stand in line. My son and I showed up at the University Mall at 2pm and walked around a little. About 2:30, we made our way to center court to get in line. Before we did, we tried to buy some items to get signed at T-Town gallery but they were closed to set up. A sign on the fence said to wait there for assistance. There were 10-15 people in the store and I waited for 10 minutes and nobody came to assist. I wanted to know more about prices and what type of items would be available to purchase. We went ahead and got into line. I looked the number of the store up and gave them a call to ask those questions. The person that answered was quite helpful and answered the questions. She did mention that they had plenty of white panel footballs to purchase. Remember that for what happens later.
It’s now about 2:45pm and we’re looking at a good 2 hour wait. We had some really cool folks around us in the line, so the wait wasn’t too bad. One of the ladies a couple back from me in line had purchased a few 2011 National Championship footballs before she came. Because her father in law didn’t want to drop $85 to get the autographs, she had an extra. I paid her $10 more than she paid to help her out and as it turned out, it helped me as well.
Brett with a new haircut waiting in line to meet Trent Richardson
During all this, the store has a couple loudspeakers, amp, and mic to facilitate the event and make announcements. It didn’t work so well. Only the people right in front of the store could hear. I am not sure if anything important was ever said on it.
Now it’s 5PM and we’re still standing in line. We have approximately 100 people in front us at this point and an estimated 1,000 behind us. The line isn’t moving at all.
Finally around 5:30pm, the players are all set to get started. According to my receipt, Brett and I got into the store and paid for the signatures (all $255 of them) at 6:19pm. This is where it gets very disappointing.
Initially, my plan was to buy one thing to get signed and hope they would sign my son’s Bama cap too. While waiting, I decided to get something for Brett, something for me, and something for my father-in-law. Since I was there, waited so long, I might as well get something nice for my father-in-law and myself. But yes, the day and the idea to do this was more for my son than me anyhow. I am trying to remember that as I sit here disappointed.
As I mentioned earlier, I was told on the phone that there would be plenty of balls and photos to purchase once we get into the store. There were plenty of photos, none of which I felt were a good match for getting autographs of all 3 players on. I could have got 3 individual photos, but I wanted something I could get all 3 on that I could display in my home.
We got into the store and like I said, I wasn’t thrilled with the choice of photos so I wanted to grab a couple white panel balls similar to the one I bought from the lady behind me in line. They ran out of them a couple people ahead of me. They had a one mini white panel football on the table, so I bought it. I still needed a 3rd now. All they had left were official NFL and NCAA balls for $35. With very few options and people rushing me through I agreed to purchase an official NCAA ball. This one would be for my ball case!
3 tickets for each player!
After dropping $60 or so on the two balls and $255 on the autograph tickets, we were on our way to the table to get our balls signed, grab a photo, and meet the guys!
In the photo above, Trent has my third ball in hand to sign and I was still in front of Roy Upchurch. Dre Kirpatrick has his hand on the ball I got Trent to act like he was signing for a photo. The guy on the fence to the left of the video camera is the one that I refer to later in the article. He was the one that refused to talk with me about a deal.
Before we got to the table, the three balls I had were handed over to someone who handed them to the players. I didn’t even get to shake the players hands, say thanks for their service at the University of Alabama, or hand them the balls to get signed. Before I was even in front of the 1st of the three players, Upchurch, all three balls were signed and being handled by a security guard or policeman (can’t remember) and we were being shuffled out of the store. I grabbed the ball for me and asked a handler if I could at least get a picture of Trent Richardson acting like he was signing my ball since it was already signed (photo below shows him acting like he’s signing it). While he obliged that request, my son had his iPod Touch out trying to get a good picture of Richardson. He was almost crying when he asked me, “Dad, can you ask Trent to smile for my picture?”. I told him to just snap the picture, that’s probably the best you’ll get. We were shuffled along.
Trent Richardson simulating the signing of my football at my request for a photo.
With 3 balls in hand while trying to get through a huge crowd of onlookers with my son by my side we moved on. I had not even had a chance to look at the balls.
We get across the hallway to a shoe shore where I was going to let Brett pick out some new tennis shoes. While he was checking out the selection, I was checking out the balls. The 2 white panel balls looked sweet but when I got a look at my ball, my heart sank. IT LOOKS LIKE ABSOLUTE GARBAGE! I can barely make out who is who. The photo of the dark football was taken when I got home with lots of lighting on it to show it better. While I was checking it out in the shoe store, the two guys helping my son with a new pair of shoes were commenting on how bad it looked too. One suggested that I go back over and get my money back. I considered that, but I thought I should wait another day since it was so busy in there and would be for the next couple of hours. Look at the difference in the one above and the two white panel balls below. I should have skipped over the dark, bumpy football and got photos signed for myself. Roy Upchurch’s autograph is decent.
This is the football I am unhappy with. It has tons of lighting on it. It looks even worse in normal lighting.
We grabbed Brett some shoes and I called my wife to see if she wanted me to pick up some dinner. She could tell I was upset and I explained to her a little but didn’t really want to discuss it until I got home. She suggested I go talk with them before I leave.
I stood there telling my son to settle down and give me a sec. After 5 minutes I decided to try to make them a deal. I headed back, asked the police officer keeping the onlookers back to grab someone from the store to talk with me. After he realized I had already gone through the line, he got a guy over there that tried to help. He happened to be the one that told me that they were out of the white panel, 2011 Championship balls. I showed him the ball I was unhappy with and explained to him that I would be willing to let them keep that ball if I could buy something else to get signed without having to pay another $85 for the autographs again. Let me rephrase that… I paid $35 for the ball and an additional $85 for the autographs on it. I was offering to GIVE them that ball back and PURCHASE something else to get signed. The store would not incur any loss since they could give me the 3 autographs again only at the expense of 3 former Alabama player’s 2 seconds of writing. They would make more money off the addition item or items I would purchase and they could even resell the ball I was unhappy with. This guy went into the store to get an actual employee of the store over there to talk to me. Without even listening to my offer, he cut me off with, “NO REFUNDS” and walked off. After standing in line for all that time and spending $300 to be shuttled through the process like an unappreciated prison worker, I was shocked with the short answer without even letting me finish talking. I can understand they were quite busy, but in order for my offer to work… the players needed to be there and if I wait, they will be gone.
After this… I went from disappointed with the whole situation to mad. We left to pick up dinner and return home.
My son is 9, but he’s very bright and he knew I was mad. He tried to cheer me up with a couple of offers. The 1st deal was him offering to get me those autographs when he makes it to the NFL. Cute. I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. I can now though. The other offer was for him to get a sharpie and trace over the autographs to make them easier to see. NO BRETT. Please don’t.
On the way home, Brett shared with me his disappointment too. He was upset that he didn’t get to a) talk to Richardson b) shake his hand c) get his picture taken with Richardson, and d) get his Bama hat which is already signed by a couple other players signed. He knew and understood it was busy, but he thought he’d have more than a few seconds. He did get a photo of Richardson snapped with his iPod Touch. I explained to him that each signature was going to cost money and that I wasn’t prepared to pay $85 to get a hat he actually wears signed. The big white panel ball is for Brett anyhow.
When Brett got to meet other Bama players at another store in Tuscaloosa, there was time to chat a minute and the players he’s met have been cordial. Hell, Prince Wimbley even took off his 1992 National Championship ring and let Brett hold and wear it. I wasn’t prepared for this type of situation. The owner of the store, the police, and employees in the store were rushing people out very fast. I was very disappointed in this.
After getting home and telling my wife all about the day, she shared a story that I didn’t know. Apparently she had a bad experience with one of these signings a couple years ago. Terrance Cody was signing at the same place and my wife and daughter were in line to get an autograph for us. He was signing from some time to another time and when that time was up, he got up and left. There were 6-10 people left standing in line. My wife was 4-5 back and she was upset but not as upset as two kids in front of her. They were all left without an autograph.
Let’s recap
At this point, I am giving the small white panel ball to my father-in-law and I have the large white panel ball I purchased from someone in the line displayed in my son’s room. I am considering using my ball as a very nice, very expensive ball for my son and I to play with in the yard. It’s a quality football and all his other footballs are worn out anyhow.
Bottom line, I won’t be wasting my time or money on any other autograph events put on by this company. Instead, I will wait for Bama Fever opportunities and/or just buy memorabilia from companies that offer autographed items with a certificate of authenticity at retail prices like I have been doing.
Maybe I am overreacting, but for $120, I feel somewhat justified. The ball looks horrible, my feet and back hurt, and my son didn’t enjoy the experience.
ROLL TIDE!
Update: I wasn’t the only one that had a crappy experience today. Apparently some people were led to believe that the autographs were free!
A friend of mine posted this on Facebook tonight!
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About Chris
I am the Aximsite/Mobilitysite/GotZune/iPaqHQ Guy! I am a former mobility writer & community leader. Father of 2 kids. Electronics Technician for AT&T, but I am not on the Mobility side and I don't officially represent AT&T in any way. I am a Smart Phone Addict. Definately a Geek.